Ibrahim Traore, Burkina Faso's coup leader, arrives at the ceremony for the 35th anniversary of Thomas Sankara's assassination, in Ouagadougou, on Oct. 15, 2022. OLYMPIA DE MAISMONT/AFP via Getty Images
Ibrahim Traore, Burkina Faso's coup leader, arrives at the ceremony for the 35th anniversary of Thomas Sankara's assassination, in Ouagadougou, on Oct. 15, 2022. OLYMPIA DE MAISMONT/AFP via Getty Images

Will Intervention Stabilize the Sahel?

As coups spread across the region, insecurity is growing—and international military involvement could make it worse.

Nigerian students living in London head for Nigeria House to celebrate Nigeria's Independence from British rule in London on Oct. 1, 1960.
Nigerian students living in London head for Nigeria House to celebrate Nigeria's Independence from British rule in London on Oct. 1, 1960.

Nigeria’s Unhappy Birthday

As the country marks 63 years of independence, insecurity and corruption continue to drive highly educated Nigerians to live and work abroad.

Tunisian Maritime National Guard officials intercept tiny boats carrying migrants before towing them back to the shore of the Tunisian city of Sfax on June 23.
Tunisian Maritime National Guard officials intercept tiny boats carrying migrants before towing them back to the shore of the Tunisian city of Sfax on June 23.

How Tunisia Became Europe’s Border Guard

Another crackdown is targeting Black Africans seeking to enter the EU.

Gen. Brice Oligui Nguema salutes during his investiture as transitional president of Gabon on Sept. 4, 2023 at the Presidential Palace in Libreville.
Gen. Brice Oligui Nguema salutes during his investiture as transitional president of Gabon on Sept. 4, 2023 at the Presidential Palace in Libreville.

Gabon’s Palace Coup

How the extended Bongo family ousted a president but maintained its control of the country.

Infantry soldiers following a British Army Training Unit in Kenya (BATUK) training excercise at the Loldaiga conservancy in Laikipia, Kenya, on Nov. 14, 2022.
Infantry soldiers following a British Army Training Unit in Kenya (BATUK) training excercise at the Loldaiga conservancy in Laikipia, Kenya, on Nov. 14, 2022.

A Challenge to British Impunity in Kenya

A parliamentary inquiry into an alleged 2012 murder by British soldiers is causing a diplomatic crisis for the U.K. government.

Two Chinese construction workers wearing reflective vests push wheelbarrows down a paved plaza at a work site at Egypt’s new administrative capital project. Skyscrapers and palm trees line the street behind the workers.
Two Chinese construction workers wearing reflective vests push wheelbarrows down a paved plaza at a work site at Egypt’s new administrative capital project. Skyscrapers and palm trees line the street behind the workers.

BRICS Expansion Could Help Egypt’s Ailing Economy

New additions to the bloc from Africa are linked by their opposition to a Western-dominated financial system.

(From L to R) South African Minister of Trade and Industry Ebrahim Patel, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi listen as Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers his remarks virtually during the 2023 BRICS Summit at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg on Aug. 22. (Photo by Marco Longari / AFP) (Photo by MARCO LONGARI/AFP via Getty Images)
(From L to R) South African Minister of Trade and Industry Ebrahim Patel, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi listen as Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers his remarks virtually during the 2023 BRICS Summit at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg on Aug. 22. (Photo by Marco Longari / AFP) (Photo by MARCO LONGARI/AFP via Getty Images)

Why the BRICS Aren’t Crumbling in Africa

Despite Russia’s decline and China’s economic woes, the idea of a nondollarized economy has strong appeal across the continent.

A foreman looks on as an earth mover works on the slippery road at Arcadia Mine on Jan. 11, 2022 in Goromonzi, Zimbabwe. ​
A foreman looks on as an earth mover works on the slippery road at Arcadia Mine on Jan. 11, 2022 in Goromonzi, Zimbabwe. ​

Zimbabwe’s ‘White Gold’

Harare has Africa’s largest lithium reserves and Beijing is poised to benefit, despite an export ban.

Mohamed Toumba, one of the leading figures of the National Council for the Protection of the Fatherland, at a demonstration of coup supporters in Niamey, Niger on Aug. 6.
Mohamed Toumba, one of the leading figures of the National Council for the Protection of the Fatherland, at a demonstration of coup supporters in Niamey, Niger on Aug. 6.

Will Niger’s Neighbors Intervene?

ECOWAS has threatened armed intervention but a lack of popular support in Nigeria and bellicose rhetoric from Mali and Burkina Faso could make the bloc think twice.

A flag with the emblem of Russia hangs on a monument of Russian instructors in Bangui during a march in support of Russia's and China's presence in the Central African Republic.
A flag with the emblem of Russia hangs on a monument of Russian instructors in Bangui during a march in support of Russia's and China's presence in the Central African Republic.

Will Wagner Stay in Africa?

A mutiny in Russia could have consequences for the mercenary group’s activities abroad.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) looks at South African President Cyril Ramaphosa as they address media after their talks in Kyiv on June 16.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) looks at South African President Cyril Ramaphosa as they address media after their talks in Kyiv on June 16.

A Failed African Peace Mission to Ukraine and Russia

Cyril Ramaphosa and other leaders picked an inopportune moment to push for a truce.

Kenyan lawyer Mercy Mutemi (center) speaks to the media after filing a lawsuit against Meta, Facebook's parent company, at Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi.
Kenyan lawyer Mercy Mutemi (center) speaks to the media after filing a lawsuit against Meta, Facebook's parent company, at Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi.

Big Tech Is in Crisis in Africa

A landmark case against Meta in Kenya could reshape the way tech giants operate on the continent.

Naledi Pandor, the South African minister of international relations and cooperation, and Sergey Lavrov, Russia's minister of foreign affairs, appear during a press conference at the BRICS foreign ministers' meeting in Cape Town, South Africa, on June 1.
Naledi Pandor, the South African minister of international relations and cooperation, and Sergey Lavrov, Russia's minister of foreign affairs, appear during a press conference at the BRICS foreign ministers' meeting in Cape Town, South Africa, on June 1.

South Africa’s Putin Problem

As a member of the ICC, Pretoria is obligated to arrest the Russian leader, but he has a standing invitation to visit the country in August.

Riot police disperse protesters with tear gas after the outlawed opposition group, The National Front for the Defense of the Constitution (FNDC), called for protests against the ruling Junta in Conakry on October 20, 2022.
Riot police disperse protesters with tear gas after the outlawed opposition group, The National Front for the Defense of the Constitution (FNDC), called for protests against the ruling Junta in Conakry on October 20, 2022.

Guinea Cracks Down on Protesters

After promising democratic reforms, the junta is attacking the press and opposition.

A Sudanese army armored vehicle is stationed in southern Khartoum.
A Sudanese army armored vehicle is stationed in southern Khartoum.

Sudan’s Failed Cease-Fire

Warring generals look abroad for support as millions remain displaced.

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